You were correct, my friends, Hobbits do exist, and one saved us from sleeping in our smelly rental car last night. Highway 1 from Auckland was to take us to our friends’ in Palmerston North, and it would have if not for some sort of gas spill accident further south. Our late start was because of an orientation for my work visa, a thrilling 4 hours (yup) promo for bungee jumping.

At about 10:30 last night we detoured to Ohakune in hopes of finding lodging, but knocks on 3 hotel doors proved fruitless. We were saved by the Hobbit (…Motor Lodge), and spent a lovely night amongst the ferns. Lucky we had provisions: see biscuit compass below. Whisky not pictured.